Junior School

In Grade 1 and 2, our teaching and learning program builds on the skills and knowledge gained in the Prep year. There is a focus on acquiring strong literacy and numeracy skills, enhanced by a vibrant integrated studies program; and complemented by our specialists program. All students engage in weekly Physical Education, Science, Japanese, Arts program and ICT lessons.

The highlights of our school year in Grade 1 and 2 are:

* The Year 1 Dinner, as a sequential part of our school’s camping program* Grade 2 Sleepover, the next step in our camping program in preparation for the Grade 3 camp* Book Week, Book Parade, Book Fair in August to celebrate the national Children’s Book Week* Grandparents Morning to coincide with the whole school Book Parade* Book Week art activities* Open Morning in Education Week gives us the opportunity to show our parents our learning program* Family Reading Month in May* Literacy and Numeracy Week celebrated with whole school and class activities in September* Premiers Reading Challenge* School Dance and School Concert (on alternate years)* Twilight Sports* Cross Country Event* Banyule Festival* Incursions and Excursions throughout the year* Swimming Lessons and Buddy Swimming Program, School Swimming Carnival

English

Each morning the children are involved in a block of literacy activities. Students participate in whole class and small group reading, writing, speaking and listening activities. Regular assessment and monitoring determines each child’s progress.

Our Spelling program will follow a phonemic approach focusing on phonemes, which are the basic sounds of our language and graphemes which are letters or letter combinations used to represent these sounds in writing. Spelling activities are graded and varied, catering for a wide range of abilities, using the Sound Waves National Curriculum program. Our grammar focus are capital letters, full stops, commas, question marks, exclamations exclamation marks and inverted commas. Our writing focuses on developing skills with a range of text types. A major emphasis in integrated studies will be Reflective Journaling in order to further extend students’ thinking.

Mathematics

Similar to the structure of our literacy program, numeracy lessons begin with a whole class focus and then directed activity groups, with an emphasis on students making strong connections to previous learning. Each lesson consists of a range of oral and written activities with the emphasis on developing an understanding of mathematical concepts. Activities are drawn from the dimensions of Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics and Probability.

Integrated Studies

ODD YEAR UNITS

TERM 1

Identity – Growing Older AND Wiser

By understanding how we grow, change and learn we can help ourselves to be the best that we can be.

Students will identify their very best ‘learning environment’ and will take an active role in creating learning spaces which best suit their learning styles. They will be confident and proud about being both the same as others but also different in some ways and as such will be able to celebrate their uniqueness. This capacity to celebrate will be demonstrated in their self-confidence, their ability to stand up for what they believe in and in how they behave and act in the world.

TERM 2

Sustainability – Tip Toe Through Our World

We are personally responsible for helping to keep our world a place that is safe and beautiful for us to grow up in.

Students will feel empowered to, and a responsibility to, have an impact on their own and other people’s sustainable behaviours.

TERM 3

Social Justice – Same and Different – Hooray!

As a member of a multicultural society, we are more likely to be fair when we understand the similarities and differences between cultures.

Students will understand that although we are all different, we also hold very similar values, with love, friendship and care for family being highly held values in all cultures. An increased level of understanding about different cultures will lead to an increase in respect and compassion for all. Their capacity to be fair to all will be enhanced by this increased understanding about those who are different from themselves

TERM 4

Creativity – Marvelous Minis

By carefully watching and using creative thinking and actions we can improve the way we choose and use materials in order to better meet our needs.

EVEN YEAR UNITS

TERM 1

Community – Connected Communities

If I have a good understanding of the elements of my community and how they work together, I can get the most out of living in it.

Through exposure to the various aspects of the community in which they live, it is expected that students will take pride in being a member of a community that provides for them and supports their needs. It is hoped that they will understand and respect the rules of their community and that they will contribute towards others in their community in meaningful and rewarding ways. It is expected that they will be thoughtful and caring members of whatever community in which live.

TERM 2

Change – Stimulating Science

Everything in our physical world changes and understanding how and why these changes occur, helps us in our daily lives.

Students will develop a curiosity about the world around them. They will appreciate the different types of science that provide information and explanations as to why and how the world around them changes continuously. They will be curious about everyday occurrences and will have a repertoire of strategies that will support them in both asking and answering their own questions about their environment.

TERM 3

Necessity – Raw To Ready

By understanding where resources come from and how much is involved in getting them processed, we can decide whether it makes sense to buy it or produce it for ourselves.

Upon completion of this unit it is expected that students will understand where their day-to-day resources come from and how they have been manufactured or grown. They will understand that goods and services are paid for and sometimes people make or grow things they need. Students will be able to differentiate between the advantages and/or disadvantages of purchasing products as opposed to growing or making them at home. They will develop an appreciation of the effort and planning involved in having goods available for consumption and or use by people in their community.

TERM 4

Curiosity – It’s About Time!

When we are curious about our past we find out things that help us understand the way we live now.

Students will be more aware of the impact of the past on their present and future lives. They will be more prepared to question and appreciate the world around them.

Homework

Homework consists of take home reading books, Spelling and Mathematics. Your child is expected to read with and to you each night for at least 15 minutes. Please take time to share, discuss and enjoy the book with your child. Spelling and mathematics homework will be sent home on Monday and returned on Friday. Spelling words will be based on phonemes and graphemes learnt in our Sound Waves program, as well as a maths activity based on the week’s focus.